Thursday, December 30, 2010

442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs just released another current picture of A-10C 79-0112, but this time with a full view of the aircraft's ladder door art:

Tech. Sgt. Kellie Askew, 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, reveals the name of the new wing commander on an A-10 Thunderbolt II, aircraft tail number 79-0112, during the wing change-of-command ceremony, Dec. 4, 2010. During the ceremony, Col. Eric Overturf took charge of the 442nd Fighter Wing. The wing is an Air Force Reserve unit at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tom Talbert)Hi-res

Please note: The ladder door art's motto is: Never forget the Vet!! - including the common POW * MIA sign (for prisoners of war and also for people missing in action). The door art possibly includes a Harley Davidson motorcycle, the head of a falcon, and the POW * MIA symbol.

12/30/2010 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Members of an 81st Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew work together during the Load Crew of the Year competition held in Hanger 1 Dec. 28. The winners of the Load Crew of the Quarter competitions of 2010 competed against each other for the fastest time to load munitions onto their aircraft. The winners of the Load Crew of the Year, and the Jammer Driver of the Year, will be announced during the Annual Awards Ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew B. Fredericks)

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Members of an 81st Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew work together during the Load Crew of the Year competition held in Hanger 1 Dec. 28. The winners of the Load Crew of the Quarter competitions of 2010 competed against each other for the fastest time to load munitions onto their aircraft. The winners of the Load Crew of the Year, and the Jammer Driver of the Year, will be announced during the Annual Awards Ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew B. Fredericks)Hi-res

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

BOISE, Idaho -- While they didn't walk away with the Hawgsmoke 2010 trophy, members of the 442nd Fighter Wing's 303rd and 76th Fighter Squadrons did reap plenty of other rewards from the event held at Gowen Air National Guard Base here Oct. 13 to 16.

12/27/2010 - Master Sgt. Michael A. Kaldenback, 476th Fighter Group egress technician, helped prepare 18 A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft for the group's recent deployment. As a forward-thinker, Sergeant Kaldenbach developed a local inspection checklist used during seat-visual inspections. He managed the critical replacement of 415 explosive tive changes for A-10 ejection seats with 100-percent scheduled maintenance-effectiveness. Sergeant Kaldenbach contributed to restructuring 36-month ejection seat inspection process and slashed aircraft downtime from 72 hours to 48 hours. he provided supervision and leadership for 20 assigned active-duty and four Air Force Reserve egress technicians. Additionally, he managed the staff car and mini-van program for the group, as well as acting as the lodging coordinator. He developed and managed billeting accommodations for personnel during unit training assemblies. Sergeant Kaldenbach acts as a squadron sports representative, who rallied members to join intramural sports, which bolstered teamwork and unit cohesion. His keep inspection abilities and attention to detail make him December's tip of the spear. (U.S. Air Force Photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Danielle Wolf)

12/27/2010 - NAVAL AIR STATION KEY WEST, Fla. -- Approximately two years ago life support and survival equipment technicians combined forces to create the aircrew flight equipment shop, part of the 442nd Operations Group.

AFE technicians are now responsible for every piece of life-saving equipment pilots use during missions.

"Thanks to the merger of the two (shops,) we now have our hands on every piece of equipment that protects and aids a pilot's survivability in the event of an emergency in flight or an ejection in combat," said Master Sgt. Phil Youngblood, AFE technician and NCOIC of training.

The crew is responsible for inspecting and maintaining more than 13 pieces of survival equipment - most of which contain dozens of components. With the merging of the career fields, AFE technicians are also now responsible for sewing and repairing pilots' flight gear.

Water-survival training

All survival training pilots are required to complete is conducted by the AFE crew, including the water-survival training the A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots of the 303rd Fighter Squadron received Nov. 5 in Key West, Fla.

"Training in an environment like that is more realistic - in fact, that's as real as it gets," said Senior Master Sgt. Joe O'Daniel, AFE superintendent. "Our crew was also able to learn by observing those who are instructor-qualified and assisting with the water-survival training."

At the same time, the AFE crew was able to conduct a mass water-survival training, which is required every three years, for all 303rd FS pilots in one day.

"It's important to make sure the equipment is well-maintained and that pilots are trained, because if needed, it will mean that the pilot's life is in danger due to an in-flight emergency or an ejection," Sergeant Youngblood said. "If this occurs over a combat zone or in hostile territory, then pilots will have to recall and put to use their survival skills."

Col. David Closen, 442nd Operations Group commander, participated in the water-survival training in Key West.

"It's important that we come out here and do this training so we feel confident our equipment works and we know how to use it," he said.

Normally, Colonel Closen said, a helicopter would drop pilots off in the ocean and they would be required to use their water-survival equipment for several hours before "rescue" was available. Due to high winds, resources did not allow for the use of helicopters Nov. 5. Instead, pilots used a bay located at the marina at Sigsbee Park, Naval Air Station Key West.

"It's beneficial for us to train in salt water, rather than a lake or a pool, because it is more realistic with its buoyancy," said Lt. Col. Brian Borgen, 303rd Fighter Squadron commander. "It's good to make our training as realistic as possible so we're prepared. Our (AFE crew) is well-equipped and fully prepared for our training - I think our (AFE technicians) are some of the best in the world."

The AFE crew began the training by ensuring pilots were suited up as they would be if they had to emergency-eject from an aircraft - wearing the nearly-35-pound torso harness with life-preserver unit and helmet.

After inflating the LPU and jumping in the saltwater bay, they swam to Tech. Sgt. Michael Fair, AFE technician, who met them at individual life rafts 50 feet from the dock. He explained information about the LPUs, including inflation, deflation and temporary maintenance, then instructed them to board the individual life rafts. Once they boarded, Sergeant Fair taught the pilots how to use the rafts to prevent hypothermia and how to roll off the rafts, when necessary. He also instructed them to deflate one side of the LPU for better mobility when stranded on the individual life raft for a long period of time.

At the next station, a swim of about 350 feet, Master Sgt. Phil Youngblood, AFE technician and noncommissioned officer of training, instructed pilots how to board the 10-man life raft. He explained how to maintain proper inflation in the raft, how to inspect it and repair air leaks, how to maintain cover in unfriendly waters and how to signal rescue aircraft. He also taught pilots how to inspect themselves for sharp objects before boarding the raft so as not to damage their best means for survival.

"Our old motto used to be 'Your life is our business,'" Sergeant O'Daniel said. "Just like every crew chief is responsible for making sure the pilot has a good airplane, we're responsible for making sure every pilot has good equipment."

Water-survival training is only one of the many required certifications pilots must refresh annually. Sergeant Youngblood said AFE also conducts egress training, hanging-harness training and Advanced Concept Ejection Seat (ACES II) training.

"It's important that they actually pull the handles, because ejection procedures vary in different aircraft," Sergeant Youngblood said. "We also have to make sure they maintain the proper position when ejecting so as not to injure themselves in the process."

Sergeant Youngblood said, to his knowledge, no 303rd FS pilots have had to eject in flight. However, many of them have had to manually raise the A-10 canopy for other emergencies, he said.

"When we give the pilots egress training, we create scenarios such as bird strikes or canopy-light malfunctions so (the pilots) have to practice using their checklists and lifting the canopy."

Although the new c-model brought the A-10 into the digital age, Sergeant Youngblood said pilots need to know which altitude display to reference in order to safely escape the airplane - and this egress training teaches that.

Hanging-harness

Hanging-harness training teaches the pilots how to fix parachute malfunctions. Using a virtual simulator with five different malfunction scenarios and 15 target locations, the pilots can eject and begin their drop from 3,100 feet. Although A-10 pilots wouldn't normally eject at this altitude, Sergeant Youngblood said the simulated height gives them nearly 1,600 feet more of training.

Pilots are harnessed a few feet above the ground and have a virtual simulator attached to their helmet. This 360-degree simulator adjusts based on which direction they are looking and allows them to aim toward a particular target, accounting for wind direction and speed. They are then rated based on their accuracy and precision.

ACES II

The ACES II kit is a survival package that is packed underneath the seat. In the event of an ejection, the kit is attached to and deploys with the pilot. The kit has dozens of items, all of which can be used to survive in any environment for several days.

AFE technicians must inspect the equipment in the ACES II kit annually to verify there is no damage and that equipment has not expired.

"The ACES II (kit) was developed by trial-and-error method," Sergeant Fair said. "When Scott O'Grady ejected, he gave a lot of feedback as to what should be included in the kit to make it the most effective."

The AFE crew is also responsible for maintaining and inspecting the night-vision goggles used weekly by the pilots during night sorties as well as the pilots' chemical warfare equipment. Although, by Air Force instruction, the shop only requires a 10 percent quality assurance check, the 442nd AFE crew has chosen to inspect 100 percent of its product.

Sergeant O'Daniel said that when the two career fields merged, the 100-percent QA check was effective in ensuring everyone was trained adequately while maintaining the security of fail-proof equipment.

"Now we have four eyes on everything we produce instead of two," he said. "Everything gets inspected by the person who fixed the item, as well as our quality assurer. These pilots rely on us daily to make sure they are safe in flight - and we take our jobs very seriously."

"Inspecting and maintaining things doesn't seem like a very important job until the equipment is needed - and then you want to ensure it's correct," Sergeant O'Daniel said.

Master Sgt. Phil Youngblood, life-support technician, instructs pilots how to reinflate a 20-man life raft in the event of an emergency. Sergeant Youngblood participated in water-survival training in Key West, Fla., Nov. 5. He is part of the 442nd Operations Group, which is part of the 442nd Fighter Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Danielle Wolf)

Maj. Bryan Stone and Maj. Aaron Linderman, A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots with the 303rd Fighter Squadron, learn how to board their individual life rafts during water-survival training in Key West, Fla., Nov. 5. The 303rd FS is part of the 442nd Fighter Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Danielle Wolf)

This is my most recent painting entitled "Flying Tigers Rejoin." It shows A-10s of the Flying Tigers, the 23rd Fighter group, over Moody Air Force Base. The fighter group includes two active duty squadrons, the 74th and the 75th. In 2009, the 76th squadron, under the 476th reserve group, was reunited with the 23rd fighter group for the first time in many years. In this painting, the 23rd group commander is flying the lead of a four-ship flight. He has given a "rejoin" command over the radio, signalling all aircraft in the flight return to this formation. When they do so, the 2nd element wingman, in this case the 76th flagship, is the last to rejoin. The painting captures the moment just as the 76th flagship is moving into postion.

Editor's Note: Each year, the Times Record newsroom staff votes on the Top 10 local stories of the year. The March deployment of more than 200 members of the 188th Fighter Wing to Afghanistan ranks as the No. 10 story of 2010.

As many area residents were focused on preparing for spring in March, the thoughts of the families of the Air National Guard's 188th Fighter Wing were on the coming deployment of more than 200 airmen to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

The Aerospace Expeditionary Force deployment was the 188th's first combat deployment since it traded its F-16 fighter jets for A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthogs" in April 2007. The change in mission to close air support resulted in large part from a rally of community support for the 188th when word spread that the Base Closure and Realignment Commission planned to strip it of its flying mission. The wing's previous combat deployment had been in 2005 when 267 airmen and 10 F-16 Flying Falcons went to Balad Air Base in Iraq for a three month rotation.

The more than 200 who left on March 8 joined about 50 other airmen from the 188th who'd previously deployed in January. The 200 faced more than a two-month rotation and would be attached in Kandahar to the 451st Expeditionary Wing.

According to a news release by Capt. Heath Allen of public affairs, the 188th had already deployed pilots, maintenance and support personnel beginning in late February to bolster continuity between the 188th and the 175th Fighter Wing, an A-10 unit out of Baltimore with whom they shared the deployment.

More than 200 airmen returned to Fort Smith just before midnight May 17, and more than 1,000 people were present at their homecoming gathering at the Fort Smith base.

On May 23, 10 pilots and their A-10C "Warthogs" returned from their Aerospace Expeditionary Force deployment where they provided close air support for ground troops in contact with the enemy and escorted convoys through particularly hostile territory, according to a 188th news release. When not supporting ground troops, they patrolled designated sectors and provided aerial reconnaissance for ground commanders. They worked round the clock, according to the news release.

"If we saved one ground troop's life, we did our job over there," said 1st Lt. Wade Hendrickson.

Hendrickson missed some big moments in his family's life. His May 23 return to Fort Smith marked his reunion with his wife Malea and their then 5-month-old daughter Rylin.

On May 25, a final group of 50 airmen, completing the Aerospace Expeditionary Force 2010 deployment.

At the time, Col. Tom Anderson, the wing's commander, said: "We worked very hard to prepare for this deployment, and many sacrifices were made not just by the airmen but by their families as well. It was a group effort, and all of our guardsmen performed admirably while deployed to Kandahar. It was an important mission, and we accomplished it with pride. Most importantly, however, we're glad to have everyone home safe."

Not all area service people returned safely this year.

Army Sgt. David S. "Scott" Robinson, 25, formerly of Fort Smith died Nov. 20 in a noncombat accident in Qualat, Afghanistan. He was serving with the A Troop, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, V Corps in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. It was the gunner's third overseas tour.

Sgt. Vincent L.C. Owens, 21, of Fort Smith, formerly of Spiro died March 1 of wounds suffered in Yosuf Khel, Afghanistan, when his unit came under fire. The motor transport operator was assigned to Forward Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. He'd joined the Army in August 2007, and was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant.

Lance Cpl. Irvin M Ceniceros, also 21, a Marine from Knoxville and a graduate of Clarksville schools, died Oct. 14 in Afghanistan's Helmand province, according to the Department of Defense. Ceniceros was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (December 14, 2010) – Kaman Aerostructures ("Kaman") announced that it has delivered the first major A-10 structural assemblies to Boeing Defense Space & Security ("Boeing") in support of the A-10 Wing Replacement Program. These assemblies will now be included in A-10 wing sections and installation kits being assembled by Boeing's Macon, Georgia facility for future delivery to Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Boeing's contract with the U.S. Air Force (USAF) covers engineering services and manufacturing for 242 replacement wing sets for the USAF's A-10 fleet between 2007 and 2018. Kaman's first shipment is also the first major structures shipment by any Boeing supplier in support of the program.

"We are proud to be part of the Boeing and USAF program to keep the A-10 aircraft flying for another twenty years in support of United States and allied ground forces," remarked Gregory Steiner, President of the Kaman Aerospace Group. "Kaman has been instrumental in effectively restarting and modernizing manufacturing operations for A-10 structural assemblies first designed in the 1970's and last produced for new aircraft in the 1980's."

Kaman manufactures wing control surfaces consisting of the inboard and outboard flaps, slats, and deceleron/speed brake assemblies, which include upper and lower speed brakes, trim tabs, and leading edge assemblies. Other Kaman Aerospace companies supporting this program include the Helicopters Division (manufactures bondments) and Brookhouse Holdings Limited (fabricated the assembly and bonding tooling).

Kaman Aerostructures is a division of Kaman Aerospace Corporation, a subsidiary of Kaman Aerospace Group. Parent company Kaman Corporation (NASDAQ GS: KAMN), founded in 1945 by aviation pioneer Charles H. Kaman and headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, conducts business in the aerospace and industrial distribution markets. The company produces and/or markets widely used proprietary aircraft bearings and components; complex metallic and composite aerostructures for commercial, military and general aviation fixed and rotary wing aircraft; safe and arm solutions for missile and bomb systems for the U.S. and allied militaries; subcontract helicopter work; and support for the company's SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters and K-MAX medium-to-heavy lift helicopters. The company is a leading distributor of industrial parts, and operates more than 200 customer service centers and five distribution centers across North America. Kaman offers more than 3.5 million items including bearings, mechanical power transmission, electrical, material handling, motion control, fluid power, automation and MRO supplies to customers in virtually every industry. Additionally, Kaman provides engineering, design and support for automation, electrical, linear, hydraulic and pneumatic systems as well as belting and rubber fabrication, customized mechanical services, hose assemblies, repair, fluid analysis and motor management. More information is available at www.kaman.com.

12/20/2010 - With new shields in place, the 917th Wing Headquarters building stands ready for future changes at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 17, 2010. The 917th Wing is preparing to be deactivated, and the 307th Bomb Wing reactivated in ceremonies at Hoban Hall on Barksdale AFB, Jan. 8, 2011. In addition to those changes, the 917th Operations Group will be re-designated as the 917th Fighter Group in the same ceremonies. Although the equipment and personnel assigned to the 917 FG will remain at Barksdale, command and control for the unit will fall under the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)Hi-res

Saturday, December 18, 2010

12/17/2010 - Family members of the 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron run toward their loved ones coming home from Kandahar, Afghanistan, Dec. 16. The squadron was deployed for three months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Green)Hi-res

Thursday, December 16, 2010

An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 47th Fighter Squadron sits on the ramp as a B-52 Stratofortress from the 917th Wing lifts off the runway behind it at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 10, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)Hi-res

Note: Pictured is A-10 79-0945.

Phil Rose, managing editor, Professional Pilot magazine, flies a sortie in an A-10 simulator under the watchful eye of Capt. Grant McCall, standardization and evaluations liaison officer, 47th Fighter Squadron, at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 10, 2010. Mr. Rose was at Barksdale gathering information for a story about the professional pilots of the 917th Wing for an upcoming issue of the Professional Pilot magazine to be published in early 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)Hi-res

Jack Sykes, art director, Professional Pilot magazine, proves you can perform a "crash and burn" scenario in an A-10 simulator, as he inadvertently rolls his jet into the ground during a familiarization session at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 10, 2010. Mr. Sykes, under the professional tutelage of Capt. Grant McCall, standardization and evaluations liaison officer, 47th Fighter Squadron, recovered from his death defying act of courage and went on to down a bogie during his visit to the 47th FS, bringing his final results to one won and one lost. Mr. Sykes was at Barksdale gathering information and taking photos for a story about the professional pilots of the 917th Wing for an upcoming issue of the Professional Pilot magazine to be published in early 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)Hi-res

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

This morning (Arizona local time), Warthog News contributor James O'Rear from the United States had the opportunity to catch seven 355th Fighter Wing A-10Cs leaving Davis-Monthan AFB with live Mk.84 500-pound bombs. In an e-mail (sent 02:18:34) James told me: "Caught 7 A-10s leaving DM with live Mk 84s this morning, quite the sight. It was an extra treat as I was there to catch the NASA Super Guppy. Photos up on Flickr. Cheers, James." And here are the pictures:

A-10C 79-0210 from the 354th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by James O'Rear)Full size

A-10C 81-0984 from the 355th Fighter Wing. (Photo by James O'Rear)Full size

A-10C 89-0939 from the 354th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by James O'Rear)Full size

A-10C 82-0663 from the 354th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by James O'Rear)Full size

A-10C 80-0155 from the 355th Fighter Wing. (Photo by James O'Rear)Full size

A-10C 80-0961 of the 357th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by James O'Rear)Full size

A-10C 78-0671 from the 354th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by James O'Rear)Full size

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Two A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from the 74th Fighter Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga., wait at the end on the Nellis runway for clearance to take off for a training mission during the Green Flag West 11-2 exercise at Nellis Dec. 10. Green Flag-West provides a realistic air-land integration training environment for forces preparing to support worldwide combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)Hi-res

12/7/2010 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Friends and family of Staff Sgt. Nathan Paet gathered Dec. 7 for a memorial service in his honor at the base chapel.

Sergeant Paet, 28, an F-15 supply section technician assigned to the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron died from wounds suffered during a shooting at his off-base residence Dec. 1.

"Nate really represented all that is right with the Air Force," said Lt. Col. Shane Henderson, 757 AMXS commander. "Whether it was his attention to detail or core family values, he made us all proud."

During the one-hour service, family and friends described Sergeant Paet's dedication to the mission and devotion to his family.

"Nate displayed the determination, work ethic and dedication to duty and mission that anyone would like in a wingman," said Staff Sgt. Paul Leones, 99th Logistics Readiness Squadron supply specialist. "He was stolen from us but we will never forget about him. He will stay in our hearts and minds."

"Nate touched our lives with the way he worked and his demeanor," said Senior Airman Monika Radcliff, 99 LRS supply specialist. "No matter what shop he was in, he was always one call away from solving any problem you had."

Sergeant Paet's brother, Eric, reminisced on past experiences the two shared and gave gratitude for the support his family has received in the wake of this tragic event.

"Nate believed in his family and loved what he did," said Mr. Paet. "Today our family found out how much he was loved by others and we know he will be watching over us all for the rest of our lives."

Sergeant Paet, was a native of Guam and is survived by his wife, Michelle, and his four children. The family released a statement Dec. 6, thanking the local community for the support, generosity and kindness shown to them in this difficult time.

The family stated, "We are saddened by the loss of Nate and it is impossible to comprehend why someone would harm him. He was a wonderful person who was loved by so many and will be forever missed and never forgotten."

A Nathan Paet Memorial Fund has been established to support Sergeant Paet's family. Individuals wishing to contribute can do so at any Wells Fargo Bank.

The family asks for anyone who might have information about this crime to call the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Section at 828-3521 or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.

Note: According to some news media, Paet was stationed at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, until 2006 when he transferred to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, in 2006, and served as a weapons load crew chief for A-10s in the 358th Fighter Squadron.

In 2007, Paet transferred to Nellis AFB, near Las Vegas, and made a career change to train for logistics readiness, material management field.

Earlier this year, he became the assistant non-commissioned officer-in-charge for the Strike Aircraft Maintenance Supply section of the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Note: For more related info please try Google.

My condolences to the Paet family. I full understand you mourning, because I lost my partner on June 17 this year after pankreas cancer. It was the biggest lost on my life. And I'm still hauling...

12/6/2010 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The U.S. Air Force Weapons School will graduate 87 officers during ceremonies at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Dec. 11.

The Weapons School provides the world's most advanced training in weapons and tactics employment, and every six months, produces a new class of graduates who are expert instructors on weapons, weapons systems and air and space integration. Upon completing the course, graduates return to their home stations, taking the latest tactics, techniques and procedures for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat to their respective units.

The Weapons School traces its roots to the Aircraft Gunnery School established in 1949 at Las Vegas Air Force Base, which became Nellis Air Force Base in 1950. This organization brought together a cadre of World War II combat veterans dedicated to teaching the next generation of pilots. The Gunnery School converted to combat crew training to meet the needs of the Korean War.

Today's Weapons School encompasses 17 squadrons, teaching 22 combat specialties at eight locations. Only 30 percent of today's students come from the classic fighter specialties which built the initial reputation of the "patch." The 60-year tradition of excellence associated with the Weapons School continues as today's graduates go to units worldwide to focus on the integration challenges of tomorrow.

11/30/2010 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Nellis leadership hosted a tour of the Nevada Test and Training Range for members of the Nellis Support Team and local elected officials Nov. 22.

The Nellis Support Team and their guests visited the Nevada Test and Training Range so they could see some of the daily training Nellis conducts on the range, which varies from the GCTS to target practice for our A-10s.

The 98th RANW provides command and control of the Nevada Test and Training Range. The commander coordinates, prioritizes and is the approval authority for activities involving other governmental agencies, departments and commercial activities on the NTTR. The 98th RANW integrates and provides support for test and training programs that have a direct effect on the war-fighting capabilities of the combat air forces.

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – Members of the Nellis Support Team and local elected officials pose with Nellis leadership for a group photo on the Nevada Test and Training Range Nov. 22. The Nellis Support Team and their guests visited the Nevada Test and Training Range so they could see some of the daily training Nellis conducts on the range, which varies from the GCTS to target practice for our A-10s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jamie Nicley)Hi-res

12/14/2010 - Maj. Maurice J. Kent, A-10 fighter pilot, 917th Operations Support Squadron, fields questions from a group of Caddo Heights Elementary School 5th Grade students during a briefing about the A-10 Thunderbolt II at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 10, 2010. The students are attending STARBASE Louisiana, at Barksdale, one of 60 national STARBASE sites. It is sponsored by the 917th Wing of the Air Force Reserve Command. The program presents an exciting 25-hour hands on/minds on aviation and aerospace curriculum to area 5th grade students and their teachers. The DoD program is committed to addressing the critical needs in STEM education - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - STARBASE Louisiana introduces its students to exciting STEM education topics, inspiring these young minds to further explore these topics in future course work. Meadowview Elementary is part of the Bossier Parish School System. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)Hi-res

According to 23rd Wing Public Affairs, four Thunderbolt II pilots with their A-10Cs along the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron returned home safely from Afghanistan December 9, 2010, after supporting Operation Enduring Freedom

Thursday, December 9, 2010

At Lajes Field, Azores, Warthog News contributor André Inácio from Portugal had the opportunity to take the following shots when six A-10Cs from the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived December 6, 2010, for stopover enroute back to CONUS from Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom:

"Winning these task orders provides Northrop Grumman continued opportunity to support our nation's most valuable asset, the warfighter," said Chris Jones, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Technical Services' Integrated Logistics and Modernization division. "Our focus is to always provide our customer with innovative solutions to ensure superior program performance, and we look forward to working with the U.S. Air Force to do so with the A-10 airframe."

Under the terms of the two-year Aircraft Structural Integrity Program Modernization II task order, Northrop Grumman and its teammate Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, will develop and document non-destructive inspection (NDI) procedures for current control points, produce source data related to NDI suitable for publication, and report discrepancies found between current technical data and the SSI program requirements. These tasks are focused on structural integrity process modernization and cross-cutting efforts with other weapon systems within the U.S. Air Force.

The Critical Safety Item Technical Deficiency Improvement task order has one base year with three option years. Under the terms of this task, Northrop Grumman and its teammates Wyle Laboratories, El Segundo, Calif., and Rowan Catalyst Inc., Libertyville, Ill., will identify the engineering and technical data tasks required to correct CSI technical and acquisition data deficiencies. This effort will help align the A-10 program with the latest requirements from the joint aeronautical logistics commanders.

Northrop Grumman is also teamed with Wyle Laboratories and Rowan Catalyst Inc., for the Critical Systems Component Analysis task, which has one base year with two option years. The scope of this effort is to ensure that the A-10 operational safety, suitability and effectiveness program is achieved and maintained by performing component analysis of critical systems and to provide solutions for increasing system reliability, safety, aircraft availability and reducing maintenance requirements and man-hours.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

The new model features improved precision strike capability and enhances the Air Force's ability to provide lethal and precise Close Air Support, said Maj. Andrew Taylor, 51st Operations Group.

The first five A-10Cs arrived at Osan this spring, beginning the transition to the new model. The final A-10A aircraft is being transferred from Osan to the United States for modification and reassignment to the Air National Guard.

Since 2007 - thirty years after the introduction of the A-10 Thunderbolt II - the Air Force has been methodically upgrading its active duty A-10 fleet, said Major Taylor.

"The upgrade to the C-model is unlike any other in the A-10s history," he said. "Notably, the Precision Engagement modification combines a highly survivable airframe and the world's most impressive air-to-ground cannon with state-of-the-art digital sensor and pilot integration."

"In short, the A-10C perfects what was already the world's most respected CAS platform," said the major.

The A-10As that supported both the first and second Gulf Wars were largely the same aircraft designed to protect Europe during the Cold War, said Major Taylor. "In fact, just prior to the first Gulf War, the A-10A was slated for retirement. However, due in large part to its effectiveness in battle, the airframe was saved and its service-life was extended well beyond its original life expectancy."

While many modifications to the A-10A made it the world's premier CAS platform - as evidenced by its performance in Iraq and Afghanistan - it continued to lack the digital sophistication of its more 'pointy-nosed' counterparts, he said.

"The PE modification changes this by greatly enhancing the interoperability of the A-10 and ensuring that the aircraft will be a viable platform throughout its intended service life," said Major Taylor. "To the casual observer, the A-10C appears to be much the same as its predecessor - the true transformation is inside."

"Cockpit modifications include color multi-function displays, hands-on throttle and stick, and cockpit ergonomics that make the busy and often task-saturated life of an attack pilot easier to manage, he said. "Combined with the human factors element, the A-10C adds Situational Awareness Data Link, a digital stores management system, and allows for employment of weapons new to the A-10."

"The upgrades provide attack pilots with a truly integrated suite of sensors, aircraft, and weapons that build situational awareness and facilitate the rapid destruction of targets," said Major Taylor. "This capability will be critical on the massive, rapidly changing battlefield that any potential scenario here would entail."

Capt. Jason Fuhrer, 25th FS pilot, said the new model "brings us into the 21st century as a precision engagement fighter and makes an already-revered close air support platform that much better."

"It's going to provide us a number of new capabilities," he said, "which is going to serve as a platform to strengthen our relationship here on the peninsula, and allow us better fighting capabilities across the world."

Major Taylor said, "With the A-10C's arrival at Osan, the combat capability of the 25th Fighter Squadron's Assam Draggins has reached new heights and ushers in the next chapter in the legacy of American combat airpower."

Editor's Note: Following the Dec. 4 departure, a two-ship formation of A-10A model aircraft returned to Osan for maintenance issues. Once maintenance is finished, the aircraft will again be on their way to the United States for modification and reassignment to the Air National Guard.

Dedicated in Love

This blog is dedicated to Marina Naumann, my latest female partner who died after incurable pancreas cancer on June 17, 2010, just only a half year after diagnosis. Marina was the second true wife in my life, and she always supported my long-year enthusiastic research work on the Hog, especially since the beginning of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Rest in peace, Marina.